Taliban want 'free peace zone' for talks: Maulana Samiul Haq

AKORA KHATTAK: Jamiat Ulema Islam (Sami group) chief Maulana Samiul Haq said on Monday that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) wanted a “free peace zone” for the purpose of peace talks in which they can travel without fear of being arrested,  BBC Urdu reported.

Haq claimed that the army, FC and law enforcement agencies were still arresting suspected Taliban personnel and security checkposts in various locations were restricting their movement. “Several senior Taliban leaders have to remain hidden because of the fear of being arrested.”

He also said that the whereabouts of Taliban leader Maulana Fazulullah were not known, adding that as many as four members of the Taliban shura may take part in the peace talks process.

The peace talks process between the Taliban and the government entered the next stage of the peace talks process after Taliban committee members met senior Taliban leadership on March 14, 2014.